Forklift Operator Safety

Course Objective

• Provide delegates assigned to operate industrial Forklift/Lift Truck the necessary skills to safely perform their jobs.
• Provide delegates with recommended practices and guidelines to perform safely while working with Forklift/Lift Trucks.
• Delegates should be able to demonstrate the necessary skills during practical examination and demonstrate knowledge during written examination.

Course Design

• Power Point© / Lecture / Audio Video / Visual Aids
• Practical Exercises

Successful Course Completion

• Requires a minimum score of 75% or better.
• Grades shall be calculated by dividing the number of questions answered correctly by the total number of exam questions.
• Delegates will have no more than thirty (30) minutes to complete the exam.
• Successful completion of practical session is mandatory.

Course Content Summary

• Classroom
• Practicals

Breaks: 10 minutes (approximately every hour)

Lunch: 1 Hour (if applicable)

Course Outline
About Forklifts

• Why is Training Necessary?
• Regulation – OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178
• Purpose of Training
• OSHA Statistics
• Types of Forklifts
  • Diesel
  • Gasoline
  • Liquid Propane
  • Electric
• Lift Truck Characteristics
• Major Components
• Gauges/Instruments

Forklift Inspection

• Pre-Use/Daily Inspection
• Safety Equipment
• Operational Equipment
• Operator Responsibilities

Forklift Capacity

• Forklift Physics
  • Teeter-Totter Principle
• Stability Triangle
  • Center of Gravity
• Forward Tipping
• Side Tipping
• Data Plate
• Inch Pound Equation
  • With Example
• Load Position
• Multiple Load Position
• Boom Angles (Boom Type Forklifts)

Forklift Operations

• Basic Operational Items
  • Steering Wheel
  • Pedals
  • Directional Controls
  • Horn o Parking Brake
• Rear Wheel Steering
  • Turning Arc
  • Turning Radius
• Tire Types
• Hydraulic Lift Controls
• Lift System Components
• Control Movement
  • Feathering Technique
• Forklift Travel
• Carrying Loads
• Carrying Large Loads
• Traveling on Inclines/Declines
• Traveling Surfaces
  • Gravel, Sand, Mud, Dirt, Tracks, etc…
• Loading Docks
• Loading/Unloading Trailers
• Forklift Parking

Forklift Safety

• Operator Safety
  • Safety features to guard against a roll over
    • Seat Belt, Overhead Guard, etc…
• General Safety
  • Do’s and Don’ts
  • Alarms
  • Warning Lights
• Forklift Refueling/Recharging
  • Gasoline/Diesel Refueling Procedures
  • Propane Refueling Procedures
  • Battery Recharging
  • Changing Batteries

Practical Session
Practical training shall utilize a Forklift/Lift Truck similar to the type the employee will operate.

Practical shall verify the following:

• Select and wear appropriate PPE during practical training
• Conduct proper pre-use inspection of forklift and equipment
• Demonstrate ability to remove the forklift out of service if it is unsafe to operate
• Controls the forklift using smooth starts & stops
• Show ability to react to unusual or emergency situations
• Move material in a safe and controlled manner
• Travel at adequate speeds with load as low as possible
• Remain aware of surroundings and other workers while operating forklift
• Demonstrate knowledge of safe parking
• Set parking brake before exiting the forklift
• Turn power off and remove the key before exiting forklift

Training Center Provided Material

• Course Materials
• PPE

Delegate Requirements

• PPE
• Onsite Forklift/Lift Truck

Reference Material / Documents
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178